What is a smart thermostat?

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A “smart” thermostat is WiFi-enabled and allows you to control the temperature in your home from your phone. Many models also “learn” your preferences and adjust the temperature automatically throughout the day—for example, to save energy when you are not home.

For data junkies, smart thermostats also capture a ton of information, including temperature and humidity, energy consumption, heating and A/C run times, and specific setting histories, among others.

Not sure which smart thermostat is best for you? Read this helpful guide from the CNET — the world's leader in tech product reviews, news, prices, videos, forums, how-to's and more — to get up to speed on the best smart thermostats on the market today.

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What are the benefits of a smart thermostat?

OhmConnect users with a connected thermostat save more than twice as much, on average, compared to users without a connected thermostat.

Oh, and this is on top of the 5-10% savings on your heating and cooling bill for upgrading to a smart thermostat!

Each home is different, of course. If you’re interested in calculating your potential annual savings, check out Honeywell’s Energy Savings Calculator.

How can I get a rebate on a smart thermostat?

Great news for you if you live in California. The three largest CA utilities — PG&E, SCE, and SDG&E — offer great rebates for qualifying devices.

All three utilities offer money back on purchases of smart thermostats. This includes an Energy Efficiency Rebate and an Automated Demand Response Rebate.

The Energy Efficiency (EE) Rebate typically applies to ENERGY STAR-certified thermostats. ENERGY STAR is a national program that lets consumers know which devices meet strict efficiency and quality standards using an easy-to-recognize label.

The additional Automated Demand Response (ADR) Rebate rewards you for connecting your smart thermostat to programs such as OhmConnect that help save energy when the grid needs it most.

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Here is some information about each utility’s program*:

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**These rebates are offered by your utility, NOTOhmConnect. We are simply the messenger and do not have information on the status of your application. But be aware that rebates likely take time -- up to two months -- to process.

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PG&E

Ready to save? Apply for a rebate. [Note: There is no separate application for the ADR rebate. Once you apply for the EE rebate, your application will be automatically reviewed by the Demand Response team. This takes time. You will likely receive the EE rebate a while before the ADR rebate is issued.]

For questions about the rebates and when they will be paid out, please contact PG&E.

SCE

Rebate details: Review rebate requirements here. [Note:As an OhmConnect user, you ARE eligible to receive the $75 ADR Rebate described in "Step 1" without enrolling in the Save Energy Program. Apply by clicking "up to $150 rebate" in the Marketplace.]

Ready to save? Get the form sent to your email via the SCE Marketplace. You do not have to buy your device from the Marketplace to receive the rebate.

For questions about the rebates and when they will be paid out, please contact SCE.

SDG&E

Ready to save?The EE incentive can be claimed as a coupon before purchase OR as a rebate after purchase. Apply for the ADR rebate by simply registering your thermostat with Nest or ecobee.[Note: You will NOT be enrolled in any other program by "enrolling" your thermostat. This language is outdated. Enrolling simply allows SDG&E to check that your thermostat has been connected.]

For questions about the rebates and when they will be paid out, please contact SDG&E.

* Please check your utility’s terms and conditions before purchase to ensure that a thermostat qualifies for a rebate. OhmConnect is not responsible for payment or delays in rebate processing.

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Already have a smart thermostat?

Maria is a clean energy enthusiast who is excited to play a small part in the energy transition. She is a Markets Analyst at OhmConnect. Previously, she led efforts to track and measure the impacts of U.S. climate policy on national GHG emissions at Climate Advisers. She has a BA in Economics and International relations from the University of Pennsylvania and an MA in Energy, Resources and the Environment from John Hopkins SAIS.